Jose LucenaOver the years, AltoVita’s events have evolved into essential platforms to discuss the latest trends in corporate accommodation, talent mobility and business travel.
After the success of our 5th annual Smart, Safe and Sustainable Summit which sold out in London last June, we are thrilled to be bringing our flagship event to the other side of the Atlantic. On October 17, AltoVita will host a full day of thought leadership, collaboration, and future-shaping discussions at the wonderful Ease 1345, in the heart of Manhattan.
We’re proud to unveil the key panel sessions and fireside chats shaping up our agenda, and to introduce an inspiring lineup of speakers.
Balancing AI with the Human Touch in Corporate Accommodation Management
We’re kicking off the day with a dynamic “unpanel” designed to energize the room and get everyone on their feet. Far from a traditional discussion, this interactive session will set the tone for the Summit by diving into one of the industry’s most pressing questions: how do we strike the right balance between AI-driven efficiency and the irreplaceable human touch?
Today, AI already supports us with content normalization, availability syncs, and triaging simple requests, automating the mundane so teams can focus on higher-value work. But in corporate travel and global mobility, where the stakes are deeply personal and often emotional, technology can never fully replace human connection. This session will challenge the audience to explore how to embrace AI as a powerful enabler without losing sight of the empathy and care that sit at the heart of the guest experience.
Joining our host, Jess Dunderdale, Senior Director of Client Partnerships, will be Karen FitzGerald, VP-Head of Global Mobility at NBCUniversal, who brings over 30 years of expertise in global mobility and John Morhous, Chief Experience Officer at Flight Centre Travel Group, who draws on two decades in corporate travel to offer invaluable insights both from a travel and mobility lens
Supporting Niche Verticals: Moving Beyond Standard Solutions
Standard corporate travel programmes are not always designed to meet the unique demands of specialised industries. From semiconductors to film production and engineering, these sectors require tailored approaches that address complex travel needs, cost structures, and employee wellbeing. This session will explore how innovative solutions can bridge the gap where traditional models fall short, driving better outcomes in cost savings, operational efficiency and traveller satisfaction.
Joining our host, Alex de Vaux, SVP of Client Partnerships for the Americas, will be Sam van Leeuwen, Head of Travel & Meetings at PwC, who brings over 30 years of leadership experience within PwC and Harmony Ward, Travel Services Manager at Geostabilization International, offering insights into the realities and accommodation requirements of different sectors.
Politics & Passports: The Corporate Travel & Mobility Response to Geopolitical Change
Geopolitical uncertainty is no longer a background risk. It’s a defining factor shaping the movement of people and businesses worldwide. From shifting U.S. policies and tariffs to conflicts in the Middle East, the ripple effects of politics, security, and regulation are directly influencing where and how employees can work. For Global Mobility Managers and Business Travel Managers (BTMs), the challenge has grown exponentially over the last decade.
In this session, Alex de Vaux, our SVP of Client Partnerships for the Americas, will lead a discussion with William Taylor, SVP of Partnerships at Relocity, and Claudia Delgado, Head of Global Mobility at Visa. With extensive experience in immigration and global talent mobility, they will explore how organisations are adapting to today’s volatile environment and what strategies mobility leaders must adopt to keep their employees safe.
Mitigating Risk: Vetting, Quality Control & Duty of Care in Corporate Accommodation
In today’s interconnected world, risk management in corporate accommodation isn’t just a compliance checkbox. It’s about building trust, ensuring safety, and taking responsibility for the people we move across borders.
Hosted by Kerri Amman, our Client Development Manager at AltoVita, this session brings together three seasoned leaders: Jose Lucena, Global Mobility & Relocation Manager at Halliburton, Vladimir Dziak, Head of Global Workforce Deployment & Mobility at Liberty Mutual, and Morgan Crosby, Chief Strategy Officer at AIRINC. With decades of combined expertise, they’ll explore how rigorous supplier vetting, continuous quality control, and a human-centered approach to duty of care are transforming accommodation from a transactional service into a strategic lever for supporting employees and safeguarding organisations.
How AltoCore Helps Deliver Efficiencies and Savings to Corporate Clients
At AltoVita, we’ve always believed that the best solutions are built through collaboration. Our work with NEI on AltoCore Fully Managed is a perfect example of that. By working closely together, we were able to design and refine a product that doesn’t just streamline operations, but delivers real, measurable value — from reducing email traffic and saving time, to driving cost efficiencies, compliance, and even sustainability benefits.
In this session, hosted by Tom Flemming, our Director of Client Development, Derek Gregath, Client Relationship Manager at NEI, will explore the collaborative process with AltoVita’s Product Team and share the tangible results achieved by NEI’s Assignment Executives. Attendees will see firsthand how this partnership has become a success story in operational efficiency, cost savings, and mobility management, demonstrating the real-world impact of working together to innovate corporate accommodation solutions.
Beyond the Move: Putting employee Wellbeing at the Heart of Global Mobility
Hosted by Beverly King, our VP of Client Partnerships at AltoVita, this session will feature Berna Anderson, Director of HR, Global Mobility & HRBP at BD, who brings over 15 years of leadership experience in mobility. Together, they will explore how organizations can go beyond simply relocating employees to creating long-term wellbeing strategies that support individuals at every stage of their assignment. Attendees will gain practical insights into initiatives that ensure employees feel supported, engaged, and valued, not just during the move, but throughout their entire global mobility journey.
AltoVita's co-founders, Vivi Himmel (CEO) and Karolina Saviova (COO) will deliver an inspiring session "From Vision to Value: AltoVita's Journey in Shaping Corporate Accommodation", sharing the story behind AltoVita's growth, innovation and impact on the global corporate accommodation landscape.
Last but not least, this year's London Summit ambassador, Kerwin Guillermo, Global Head of HR Compliance Eneblement at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, along with Nicole Milman will deliver the day's closing remarks, providing a recap of our summit, before we move on to the networking area for after-work drinks and nibbles.
The Smart, Safe and Sustainable Summit is an exclusive event for corporate travel managers and mobility leaders.